Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-07-25
THE FIRE.
The Ruins Visited Hy ThOusands
of People Yesterday

The ruins of the Chinese dens on
Niger Alley were visited by thous-
ands of people curious to see how
much havoc had been created. The
ruins were still smoking and in sew
eral places the fire was yet alive.
From No. 16 to the end of the row of
buildings on the north nothing was
left but the adobe walls of the dens
which twenty-four hours before had
been alive with the celestials. Viewed
by daylight the ruins did not present
very inviting appearance, and it was
easily seen that the buildings des-
troyed had been tenanted by at least
thousand Cinnamon. The fire COM
pletely destroyed everything from
Niger Alley back, half way to Ala
media street, and stopped just short
of the shed where an attempt
was made some time since
to ignite fire in. the
rear of No. IA, but there was not
vestage left Of anything which might
have been either useful or orna-
mental. Everything that was OF u
combustible nature had disappeared,
and had left nothing but the crumbling
Adobe walls and the ground, which
was 9vered with ashes. Mixed with
these were portions of roasted chick
ems, pig and tin cans OF various sizes
and shapes. The discovery of the car
cass of a porker early in the day gave
rise to rumor that the body of a
Chinaman had been unearthed. This
rumor was shortly disproven. and u
search of the ruins was made for the
three opium fiends said to have been
burned. These were not discovered,
although every hole and ash-heap was
searched, and it became evident that
the report had been without founda-
ton. After the fire started there was
plenty of time Tor all the Cinnamon to
get out, but several were seen yesterday
who had received burns while trying
to rescue their worldly possessions.
These were seen walking about the
ruins with their burned hands wrapped
up, gazing mournfully at all that re-
manned of their worldly wealth.
Unfortunately for these and the other
Chinese who were burned out all in
surance risks were cancelled on Tues
day last by the insurance companies.
Chas. Haven of San Francisco visited
Los Angeles for this purpose especially
and after investigating Chinatown
concluded that he was right in can
ceiling the policies.
There were several stories afloat
yesterday in relation to the origin of
the fire. One was that it was the work of
highbinder who set fire to the build
ing through revenge for losses sus-
tanned in the tan game. Another story
was that the fire was set by white
man, who was anxious to get rid of
Chinatown. The theory that it had
started by reason OF an explosion of a
coal oil lamp was ridiculed by the
Chinese who clung to the idea
that it was incendiary. The
origin will probably never
he discovered, but from the actions of
the Chinese during the progress of the
fire it is probable that it was incen-
diary. Officers Stephenson and Beebe
caught All Joe, a high binder, in the
act of setting fire to the houses ON the
opposite side OF the street and took
him to the Police Station, where he
was charged with arson. On his per-
son was discovered a sharp-bladed
hatchet, for carrying which he was
also charged. Chung Wing was ar
rested by Officer Dillon, and charged
with an assault with deadly weap-
on, consisting in firing his revolver at
some individual. Wing claimed that
he saw some one setting fire to the
building which he occupied and had
fired his revolver at him to frighten
him away.
The probable loss of tse, Chinese
cannot even be approximlated for not
even the owners themselves seem to
know how much money they had in
vested but from the appearance OF the
ruins there must have been consid-
cradle amount of Chinese merchan-
disc which was consumed. No one
appeared to regret the destruction of
this portion of Chinatown, as it will
be less of a task to open Los Angeles
street, and will probably result in the
erection of more substantial build
ings.